The next few hours following the battle were busy as the wounded were tended to and the dead were identified. Fenrys had been kept occupied by Aelin, Nascha, Rayan, and Eliora as they discussed the Arcelian's terms of surrender and Nascha's transition into power. A date had already been chosen for Nascha's official presentation as Lady of Arcelia.

    Despite the brave smile Nascha wore, Fenrys knew she was still struggling to accept her place. She likely would for several months. Maybe even years. He would be with her every step of the way, as he had promised. Both as her mate, and as Aelin's Ambassador.

     And soon, he would be with her as her husband and Lord of Arcelia. He had proposed during the brief moment between the end of the battle and the beginning of their long meeting. Nascha barely had time to say yes before Aelin and the Tarins returned. There still hadn't been time to discuss their wedding details. All Fenrys knew was they would be wed as soon as Nascha felt ready.

    At last, the meeting adjourned and they were allowed to return to their army's makeshift camp. Fenrys picked his way stiffly through the gore spattered mud. Nascha stuck close to him, her hand braced on his arm. Her eyes kept darting to his neck and the faded scars that marked his bronze skin.

    Fenrys touched the Mating Bond, letting his affection and forgiveness drift over to her. Nascha's throat bobbed and she looked away. They reached the camp and Fenrys spotted Vaughan speaking with Aeron just beyond the tents. Both males perked up at the sight of them.

    Aeron sprinted to Nascha and drew her into a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground momentarily. Fenrys clamped down the jealous and protective instincts that surged within his gut. Vaughan touched his shoulder, as though aware of what he was feeling.

    Aeron soon set Nascha down and retreated a few paces, until there was a healthy distance between them. Fenrys' shoulders relaxed. "Luci missed you," he said. "She was so worried when we heard you were gone. She asked if we'd heard any news about you at least three times per hour."

    Nascha smiled wearily. "I'm sorry to have caused her so much stress. I'll make it up to her as soon as I can. Maybe she'd like to come to Arcelia for a few days and help me settle into the manor."

    "I'm sure she'd be delighted," Aeron replied. "And the time off would be good for her. She's done nothing but train since she arrived, and the stress is starting to get to her."

    "I know the feeling." Nascha faced Vaughan. "Have you been helping her?"

    "As much as I can," Vaughan answered. His obsidian gaze slid to Fenrys. "She wants to join our magic lessons."

    Nascha crossed her arms with a sigh. "I don't know how much time I'll have for magic lessons in the coming days."

    "We'll make time," Fenrys promised. "You'll have to start adjusting to your new well of power soon anyway." He blinked rapidly, the grit of exhaustion stinging his eyes.

    "I was able to tunnel into it without losing control on my way here."

    The corners of Vaughan's mouth tilted up. "Good. Keep practicing that and work on expending it in small, manageable amounts for now."

    Nascha nodded and shifted closer to Fenrys as he swayed on his feet. "We'll talk to you later," she said. The males nodded and they started off. Minutes passed and Nascha paused. "I forgot to tell Vaughan something. Can you wait here for a moment?"

    Fenrys nodded and Nascha quickly retraced their steps. Aeron was already gone, but Vaughan still lingered in the same spot. The male studied Nascha curiously as she spoke. Fenrys couldn't hear what they were saying, and he didn't try. He was too tired to worry about it.

However, he was not too tired to frown when Nascha threw her arms around Vaughan's neck and hugged him tightly. Vaughan caught sight of him shortly and nudged Nascha back. She returned to Fenrys and they resumed their trek towards his tent.

    Fenrys was almost asleep on his feet by the time they reached it. Nascha wordlessly pushed him onto a stool and began to undo the fastenings on his armor, removing the metal and setting the pieces aside. He'd have to clean them later. They were stained with blood and dirt. So was he, for that matter.

    "I'm sorry," Nascha whispered. "I could have prevented this if I hadn't been so selfish and stubborn."

    "You weren't," Fenrys replied. "You were scared, alone, and trying to protect yourself. I don't blame you for not wanting all of this responsibility, especially after what you went through. But..." He was interrupted by a yawn. "I'm proud of you for finding the strength to accept it."

    "For you," Nascha said, lifting her hickory eyes to his. "I would do anything for you."

    "And I would do anything for you." Fenrys tucked a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up, pressing their foreheads together. Nascha's gaze again fell to the scars on his neck and guilt flooded the Bond. "Stardust, it wasn't your fault."

    "But it was. You nearly died and I..." Her voice broke and tears dripped down her cheeks. Nascha lowered her head, crimson hair hiding her features. "It would've been my fault. You are my mate. I love you, and I almost killed you."

    "It was an accident, and I'm all right now. I don't want you to feel guilty anymore. Your only intention was to protect me from someone you perceived as a threat. I know that. Lorcan knows that. Aelin knows that. Everyone does."

    "I could have healed you." Nascha wept harder. "I should have stayed with you, but I couldn't. They would've... I thought they were going to... I..."

    Fenrys cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You kept yourself safe, and without you there, they were able to focus solely on me and save me. If you had remained, their anger would've turned them against you and I might've died while they were distracted. You protected both of us by leaving. You saved us."

    "We wouldn't have needed saving if it weren't for me. I've only ever caused pain and destruction to us both. To the people of Terrasen."

    "That is not true," Fenrys protested.

    "I came between you and your friends. Your family."

    "Our differences came between us. Not you. Never you. That is to be expected with everyone. We all have differences that eventually rise, but we're able to work through them and emerge stronger than before. That is already happening. My Court is realizing how wrong they were about you, and are willing to make amends and start again. You realized what was required of you and agreed to do your part, despite your reservations. We're learning and growing, and things will get better. They will become easier."

    Nascha's eyes shone as she held his gaze. Fenrys smoothed hair from her face and kissed her softly. "You are tired, Sweetheart. It's been a long few weeks, and an extremely long couple of hours. We both need to rest. Things won't be quite so overwhelming tomorrow."

    Nascha swallowed and gave a short nod. "You're right." She grimaced, lifting an arm and examining the dirt and blood that clung to it. "I suppose this tent isn't equipped with a working bath or shower," she sighed.

    Fenrys chuckled as he shook his head. "No, but I have another solution." He rose and retrieved a water pail from the other side of the tent, as well as a rag. "It's cold, but it will do."

    "Actually..." Nascha summoned her starlight and closed her eyes. Fenrys tilted his head curiously. Warmth began to radiate from the light in between her palms. Nascha submerged it in the bucket and soon, steam rose from the water. "I learned this trick while I was hiding out in the Oakwald Forest. I had to have warm water to bathe in at least once."

    "So that's where you went," Fenrys said, already removing her shirt and pants. Starlight shielded the tent and became invisible. "Is that another new trick?" Nascha nodded. "Well done."

    Fenrys wet the rag and wiped the blood from her arms and shoulders. His nose grazed her skin as he touched a soft kiss to the divot of her collarbone. He continued working his way down, cleaning every inch of her skin, but not touching her besides an occasional kiss. When he glanced up, Nascha's eyes were closed and there was a contented look on her face. It was the most relaxed he'd seen her in a while.

    Fenrys rose and cleaned the blood from her face, letting his fingers trace her stunning features. Nascha kept her eyes closed. He touched her lips and they parted slightly. Fenrys leaned down, brushing a feather soft kiss across them.

    He wet his hands and combed them through her hair, cleaning gunk from it as best as he could. When he finished, Nascha pulled her pants back on and her shirt as well, ignoring the blood that still clung to them.

    Nascha took the rag from him wordlessly. Fenrys remained still as she removed his leathers and the thin underclothes he wore beneath them. Her touch was light while she quietly washed the gore from his skin. Fenrys closed his eyes, resting his chin against his chest while Nascha worked.

    His skin tingled beneath her lips. Fenrys drew in a deep breath, relishing her warm scent: nutmeg and frost. His mouth curved into a smile. She was real. She was here. His mate. He opened his eyes and threaded his fingers through her hair. Nascha mirrored his smile and tugged on the Bond. She stood, wetting her hands as he had done so she could clean his hair.

    Nascha brought her face closer to his. Her breath tickled the shell of his ear. Fenrys gave a small sigh, angling his head to one side. Nascha took the hint and kissed the length of his neck. She kept her hands buried in his hair, letting her canines tease his skin. Fenrys sighed again.

    "What do you want?" Nascha asked. Her lips met the scars on his neck. He heard her breath catch. She kissed the scars once more, as though apologizing.

    "This," Fenrys murmured. "I just want you to kiss me. I'm too tired for anything else."

    Nascha guided him back towards his bedroll. Fenrys lay down obediently and she climbed on top of him. His eyes drifted shut as she resumed kissing him. She kissed his forehead and temple. The scars stretching from his brow to his jaw. The corners of his mouth. His lips.

    She worked her way down his neck, lingering on his new scars, then across his throat. She kissed his shoulders and chest. His arms. His inner wrists, palms, and the tips of his fingers. Fenrys was barely aware of her. Contented drowsiness had settled over him and sleep was threatening to pull him away.

    Nascha's weight vanished from him. A thin blanket covered his bare skin. Fenrys lifted his hand blindly. Nascha took it and he pulled her back down. She laid on top of him once more, resting her head against his chest. Fenrys hooked his chin atop her head. Nascha began to stroke his hair. He let the soothing sensation lull him into a peaceful dreamless sleep.